USA
Health
Before you travel check that:
- your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
- you have聽appropriate travel insurance聽for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Emergency medical number
Dial 911 and ask for an ambulance.
Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you鈥檙e referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Vaccine recommendations and health risks聽
At least 8 weeks before your trip:聽聽
- check the latest (or the , and )
- see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the
See (or the , and ), including:聽聽
- Zika virus
- West Nile virus
Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of the US. Read more about .听
Medication
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
You cannot take some prescription drugs into the US. The US Food and Drug Administration聽provides information on .
UK prescriptions are not valid in the US. To get pharmacy drugs, you need a prescription from a US provider (available from an urgent care facility, emergency room or a doctor).
TravelHealthPro explains聽.
The NHS has information on聽.
Healthcare in the US
Medical treatment is expensive and there are no special arrangements for British visitors.
Some hospitals ask non-US residents to pay a deposit when admitted. Send any requests for funds to your travel insurance provider first; only pay the hospital if you鈥檙e advised to do so by your travel insurance company. Your medical care will not be affected while your claim is processed.
Medical facilities in American Samoa are basic and you may need medical evacuation by air ambulance to Hawaii, New Zealand or Australia.
Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
Travel and mental health
搁别补诲听FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also聽.